Racial disparities in Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and treatment are hindering access to crucial care for Black patients. Exercise programs, considered vital for managing Parkinson’s symptoms, struggle to recruit Black participants despite efforts to increase diversity.
David Leventhal, program director for Dance for PD in New York City, likens the lack of engagement to “withholding medication,” emphasizing the critical role of movement in Parkinson’s treatment. Recent studies have shown that exercise can alleviate symptoms and even promote the health of dopamine-producing neurons affected by the disease.
However, many Black individuals remain undiagnosed due to various factors, including doctor bias. Bernard Coley, a Parkinson’s advocate, notes that symptoms like decreased facial expressivity may be misinterpreted in Black patients as “disconnected” or “angry” rather than signs of the disease.
Mistrust in the healthcare system, stemming from experiences of unfair treatment, further complicates the issue. A KFF survey revealed that 1 in 5 Black adults reported feeling disrespected by healthcare providers due to their race in the past three years.
Experts suggest that increasing representation in Parkinson’s education and recruitment efforts could help build trust. Tammyjo Best, a nurse coordinator at Emory University, emphasizes the importance of Black leadership in these initiatives, saying, “When they look at me, they see themselves.”
Organizations are now exploring ways to empower underserved communities to lead their own Parkinson’s programs. By addressing these barriers, the hope is to improve diagnosis rates and access to essential care for Black Parkinson’s patients.
See “For Black Parkinson’s Patients, Bias Hinders Diagnosis and Help” (August 13, 2024)
